The Old Nags Head

Back in the 1960s, the Old Nag’s Head was known as a police pub — that’s a pub where police drank, not a pub where the police were regularly called to. At that time, Manchester was one of the epicentres of the Northern Soul scene, and clubbers would pre-drink in the city’s plethora of proper boozers before hitting the dancefloor. But, thanks to its proximity to Bootle Street nick, this spot was spared from the legions of wide-eyed and often underage hedonists determined to get into (in)famous venues like The Twisted Wheel. 

As a result, alongside coppers, the Jackson’s Row watering hole regularly welcomed a lot of soon-to-be-famous rock & roll acts. John Baldry, Rod ‘the mod’ Stewart, Eric Clapton, Ivans Mead, Pete McClaine and the Dakotas, The Rolling Stones and the Beatles all apparently had a pint here at one point or other. Today, the address has managed to keep hold of its Victorian wood panelled interior and island bar, and has found its way into CAMRA’s good books as a haven for real ale drinkers. Not to mention people who like a game of pool, with four tables up for grabs for those ready to break. 

Split over multiple floors and rooms, upstairs there’s a private hire space and a second bar, alongside an intimate roof terrace which seems to open only as and when staff feel it’s appropriate. Live music is predominantly DJ-based on Fridays and Saturdays as evening switches to later night, although you’ll find bands are often programmed for Sundays. A real piece of local and regional history, the team behind the bar are a big part of the selling point, and the haunt has a reputation for warm welcomes and an open attitude — so pretty much the epitome of a Manchester watering hole. Worth a punt to say the least.